From the Chairman Holiday Greetings to All Our Friends and Alumni of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UT-Austin

the university of texas at austin fall 1997

CHEMICALCompositionschemistry & biochemistry departmental newsletter From the Chairman Holiday Greetings to all our friends and alumni of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UT-Austin. What's Inside Inside this issue of Chemical Compositions you will find stories on several events that have been the focus of the departmental activity during the past half year. (A student) was seen trying to There is a status report on the five stages of the Welch Hall Safety Enhancement crawl into a bench-top hood, Project on p. 2. Stage I involved the remaining pre-moves associated with the Welch because the lab manual specifi- West Wing renovation project. We had to vacate the cally said to do a particular chairman’s office and the procurement office as transfer "in the hood." p. 8 part of the West Wing project and decided to make those moves permanent. All of our administrative Chairman's Corner ...... p. 1 offices are now located on level two of the ‘78 addition in three office suites near the new com- Welch Hall Saftey ...... p. 2 puter labs that were built last fall. The advising suite is home for the lower-division chemistry and Mass Spec expansion .....p. 3 the undergraduate and graduate advising offices. Procurement and the mail services are back where Undergraduate news ...... p. 6 they were when the ‘78 addition was first built, and the chairman’s suite, including the alumni and Graduate news ...... p. 7 Marvin Hackert industrial relations office, are nearby. We feel that this arrangement will allow us to better serve our Reminiscenes ...... p. 8 students and faculty in the department. The new chairman’s office features several pictures from our history project and display cases with a focus on chemistry. We are Wade "retires" ...... p. 14 all excited about the moves and we hope that you will stop by and visit when you have the opportunity. New faculty ...... p. 4,15 While the construction projects have certainly dominated a lot of our time these past few months, I am happy to report progress in several areas. On page 3 you will Alum retorts ...... p. 16 read about the improvements we have made in our mass spectrometry facility. As noted there, we have installed three new mass spectrometers, a HPLC, and capillary Staff awards and honors . p. 19 electrophoresis instruments over the summer and fall. These instruments, including MALDI-TOF, MAT LCQ, and HPLC/MS high resolution instruments, offer our In memorium ...... p. 20 faculty and others a state-of-the-art resource on campus for the analysis of both chemical and biological compounds. Faculty recruitment and retention continue to be major concerns and priorities of the Department. I am sorry to report that Dr. Tom Kodadek (bio-organic) will be leaving us at the end of this semester for a position at Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. Also, Dr. Kuan Wang (biochemist) has gone on leave to serve as Director of a new muscle group being formed at NIH. We will miss them both but want to wish them well in their new positions. We also have had two retirements, Drs. Daniel Ziegler and William Wade. Dr. Ziegler was featured in last spring’s newsletter and a tribute to Dr. Wade can be found on p. 14. We did recruit three new faculty last year, but between departures and retirements, are still falling behind in faculty hires. Dr. Joyce Thoresen, Alumni and Industrial Relations, solves a pro- continued on page 3 blem with the help of Donna Reber in the new chairman's office. Welch Hall - one year later The Matsen Graduate Fellowship You will recall we had a serious fire in one of our synthetic organic labs last fall. In an act of great generosity, Al No one was injured and, thanks to the quick action of the Austin Fire Department, the and Cecilia Matsen have donated funds to fire was contained to one lab in the West Wing (or ‘59 addition) of the chemistry the department to establish the F. A. Matsen building. As a result of this fire, the AFD made a number of recommendations for Endowed Presidential Fellowship. The in- procedural and physical changes in the way chemicals are handled in Welch Hall. The come from this endowment will be used to incident received a great deal of press coverage and resulted in a UT response that provide fellowships for outstanding gradu- included a substantial financial commitment to undertake a number of procedural and ate students in theoretical chemistry. With physical modifications to the building. the availability of these new funds, it is an- The procedural changes could be enacted quickly and ticipated that we will be able to attract the included a comprehensive Chemical Management Plan very best students to the department. This that set limits on quantities of flammables and other d o n a t i o n hazardous materials that are stored in a laboratory, calls comes in the for the storage of chemicals on the basis of hazard class, wake of a simi- provides inventory summary sheets and lab contacts for lar endowment all labs in Welch Hall, and requires properly documented for graduate training for all laboratory employees and research fellowships students. Many of these changes will apply to the that the university as a whole, and UT has adopted a Laboratory Flammable Storage Matsens estab- Safety Manual that covers many of the general issues lished in the dealt within the CMP. Department of The physical modifications to Welch Hall include Physics. Prior adding a sprinkler system, lab segregation into smoke/fire to these contri- compartments, remodeling the chemical storeroom, butions, they Al and Ceclia Matsen upgrading the elevator and alarm systems, adding lab- funded the F. specific items like gas cylinder cabinets, and many HVAC A. Matsen Endowed Regents Lectureship upgrade items to improve the air handling system for the on the Theories of Matter, their first major entire building. These safety improvements and the donation to the University. This Lecture- previous renovation project for the Welch West Wing, have ship alternates between the Departments of become known as the Welch Hall Safety Enhancements Chemistry and Biochemistry and of Phys- Project. The work will be done by outside contractors ics. under the supervision of Beck Program Management with Eyewash Station Although Al Matsen “retired” HCKP Jennings/Hackler serving as primary architects. from the department 14 years ago and now The construction work will be carried out in five stages, with Stages I & III holds the title of Professor Emeritus, he related to the original West Wing project and Stages II, IV & V added as a result of the remains very active: when not clobbering the AFD recommendations following the fire. Stage I includes the West Wing opponents half his age on the tennis court, Laboratory premoves, including those associated with relocating all the departmental he is actively involved in developing theo- administrative offices to the second floor. This work will be completed by the end of ries of magnetic properties and supercon- October and should greatly improve our ability to provide ductivity. Before his work in these areas, services for our students and faculty. Stage II includes all he was widely known for extensive research of the work to be done within the laboratories with the on the use of symmetric and unitary groups exception of those labs in the West Wing. This includes to describe quantum states and spectra. the installation of a building-wide fire sprinkler system, Equally important, but less well known, is construction of smoke compartments and underfloor that he, in partnership with Stan Simonsen, chemical dams, elevator and fire alarm upgrades, plus lab brought air conditioning to the University specific upgrades. The contract for Stage II has been of Texas! In 1952, he purchased an IBM awarded to C.P. Sinder struction; work is scheduled to computer, and although humans could ap- begin by the end of the semester and is expected to be parently stand the heat of the Austin sum- completed in about a year. Stage III includes the original Spill Control Kit continued on page 3 continued on page 6 Expansion of the Mass Spectrometry Facility

The role of mass spectrometry in sition of several new instruments, which ber of instruments acquired but also in their biological and chemical research has in- include three mass spectrometers, a high analytical capabilities, as briefly outlined creased dramatically during the past few performance liquid chromatograph, and a below. years due largely to development of new capillary electrophoresis apparatus. By Finnigan MAT LCQ Benchtop techniques for the ionization of adding these items, the MSF has become a MSn, HPLC/MS - This atmospheric pres- biomolecules. Consequently, biological state-of-the-art facility for the analysis of sure mass spectrometer uses state-of-the- mass spectrometry is undergoing through chemical and biological compounds. Pur- art quadrupole ion trap technology to ac- a transition to a new status, one in which it chase of the equipment, which cost over commodate both electrospray ionization is not just desirable but essen- and atmospheric pressure tial to any modern analytical chemical ionization. The laboratory dealing with bio- mass-to-charge ratio range of logical samples and molecules the instrument in both posi- having high molecular weights. tive and negative ionization Although the Mass Spectrom- modes is currently 20–2000 etry Facility (MSF) of our De- and will be increased to 4000 partment was well-equipped to in the near future. This analyze low molecular weight makes the LCQ an ideal (<10,000 Da) substances and HPLC detector, as molecules mixtures of volatile com- with masses ranging from pounds, it was seriously defi- 50–150,000 Da can be de- cient in its abilities to analyze tected. One example of an compounds in biological fluids LCQ application is protein as well as in complicated mix- mapping. In this case, the tures containing supramolecu- molecular weight of the in- lar complexes. $400,000, was made possible by funding tact protein is first measured by continu- To address these needs, the MSF from a combination of sources, including a ous infusion of a solution of the pure pro- has recently been able to expand its capa- grant from the NSF, university matching tein. The protein is then hydrolyzed, and bilities over to include the analysis of bio- funds, departmental funds, and donations the components of the hydrolysate are iden- logical and large synthetic polymers. This from local companies. The scope of our tified using HPLC/MS. Peptides of inter- has been made possible through the acqui- upgrade can be seen not only in the num- est can be sequenced using the MS/MS ca- continued on page 18

Welch Hall - one year later continued from page 2

West Wing project to remodel the synthetic labs on levels four and five, plus added HVAC and emergency power projects. Bids for this project are scheduled to go out this fall with construction to begin early next year and be completed in the spring of 1999. Stage IV involves remodeling the research storeroom to include storage rooms for flammables with blow- out panels, improved storage and segregation of chemicals, and improved access for emergency responders. Stage V includes remaining upgrades to improve the air handling systems for Welch Hall with the correction of a long-standing air re-entrainment problem in the ‘29 addition. This project has been made more difficult because Welch Hall is a fully occupied building that was constructed in three phases, each part being built to a different set of building codes. Total cost of the project will be between $20-30M. We all wish that the work could be completed sooner and with less cost. However, I have been impressed with The University’s commitment to this project and the hard work of a large number of people, including the architects, engineers, consultants, faculty, administrators, and representatives of AFD who have been extensively involved in the design phases for this project. We look forward to the completion of this work and having an improved Welch Hall to serve the department and The University for decades to come. Alan Lambowitz - Director of ICMB Our research group is in the group I intron catalytic core. These believed to be directly related to the process of moving to The Univer- findings raise the possibility of an progenitors of nuclear pre-mRNA. sity of Texas at Austin from The evolutionary relationship between Remarkably, some group II introns Ohio State University, our home for group I introns and tRNAs and are mobile elements that encode the past eleven years. At UT- suggest that splicing factors may reverse transcriptases that also Austin, I am assuming the director- have evolved from cellular RNA function in RNA splicing. It has ship of the newly formed Institute binding proteins. recently been found that the mobil- of Cellular and Molecular Biology. Mitochondrial ity of group II introns occurs The focus of my research is retroplasmids, ancient ancestors predominantly by a on self-splicing introns, also known of retroviruses - We have found retrotransposition mechanism as catalytic RNAs, that are also that certain mitochondrial plasmids analogous to that use by certain mobile genetic elements. As nuclear retrotransposons. The discussed below, we are ribozyme activity of the intron interested in mechanisms of is intimately related to the RNA catalysis, how proteins mobility process, and the assist RNA folding, mecha- introns are also capable of nisms of intron mobility, the inserting directly into double- evolution of introns and stranded DNA by reverse splicing mechanisms, the origin splicing. These newly discov- of retroviruses, and mecha- ered aspects of group II intron nisms of reverse transcription. mobility suggest that the Protein-assisted introns may be used as novel splicing of group I introns - vectors for genetic engineering Group I introns use an RNA- and gene therapy. catalyzed splicing mechanism My coworkers and I are and some are self-splicing in vitro. use a primitive mechanism of looking forward to working at The However, proteins are required for reverse transcription that does not University of Texas at Austin and in efficient splicing in vivo to help require a primer and is analogous to participating in the Department of fold the intron RNA into the RNA replication. The characteris- Chemistry and Biochemistry, as catalytically active structure. We tics of the plasmids suggest they well as in the Department of discovered that a key protein may be related to the early ances- Microbiology, and contributing to required for splicing group I introns tors of retroviruses and possibly to the in Neurospora mitochondria is the first DNA elements that develop- tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase, which emerged at the time of transition ment of also functions in the aminoacylation from an RNA to a DNA world. the new of tRNAs. The synthetase can be Studies on the plasmids may Institute expressed efficiently in E. coli, and provide insight into fundamental of biochemical, genetic, and structural aspects of reverse transcription, Cellular methods are being used to examine which is central to retroviral and its interaction with the intron RNA. replication. Molecu- Prof. Alan Lambowitz Recent studies suggest that the Mobility and splicing of lar Biology. We’re excited about synthetase recognizes a conserved group II introns - Group II introns our research, and we feel that the tRNA-like structural motif in the are autocatalytic introns that are best years are still ahead. Gilbert Ayres; a gentlemen's gentleman

Gilbert (Gib) Ayres was born for their honors reports and four from the preceding lecture. Gib also on August 29, 1904, in Upland, graduate students for their M.A. taught at the graduate level. His Indiana, and died in Bedford, Texas, on degrees. research interest was in the spectromet- June 9, 1997. During a lifetime of over Gib, a Lieutenant in the U.S. ric analysis of the noble metals, and he 92 years, Gib left his mark on all those Naval Reserve, was called to active produced a number of graduate who were privileged to know this duty as an anti-submarine warfare students in analytical chemistry who “gentleman of gentlemen.” officer in 1943 and was promoted to went on to distinguished careers in Lieutenant Commander in 1946. He academia and industry.” returned to Smith for one year in 1946, Gib assumed responsibility before accepting an appointment as easily and had several roles in depart- Associate Professor of Chemistry at mental administration. These included UT-Austin. He was promoted to Full terms as Graduate Advisor, Assistant Professor in 1951 and remained with Chairman, and Secretary of the the department until his retirement in Analytical Division. In other words, he 1974. During his career here Gib paid his dues in service while maintain- supervised the dissertation research of ing a full teaching load. 29 Ph.D. candidates and 12 M.A. He was a Fellow of the candidates. American Association for the Advance- Allen Bard has vivid memo- ment of Science and a member of the ries of Gib’s teaching abilities: “I met American Chemical Society, Sigma Xi, Gib when I joined the faculty at UT in Phi Lambda Upsilon, and Alpha Chi 1958. It was clear from the first time Sigma. In 1970, Gib’s scientific we taught different sections of the same contributions were recognized by his sophomore analytical chemistry class, being named “Analyst of the Year” by Chemistry 412K, that Gib was a master the Dallas Society of Analytical teacher. He had just published his Chemists. He served as a consultant Gilbert (Gib) Ayres textbook, Quantitative Chemical for several professional and govern- Analysis (Harper and Row), which was ment groups such as TRACOR, Inc. in Gib earned an AB degree from an excellent and rigorous treatment of Austin and Los Alamos Scientific Taylor University (Upland), majoring the field and that book formed the basis Laboratory in New Mexico. in Chemistry and Mathematics, and of the course. He was a conscientious After his retirement from UT- continued his education at the Univer- and dedicated teacher, and he taught me Austin as Professor Emeritus, Gib sity of Wisconsin at Madison, where he a lot about the importance of teaching established an endowment to provide a received a Ph.D. in 1930 under the and how to organize a course. For fellowship in chemistry. Contributions tutelage of J. H. Walton. He later did example we gave several exams to all to the endowment are still being postdoctoral research with H. H. of the sections during the semester. accepted, should you wish to remember Willard at the University of Michigan. These were always three-hour exams him in this manner. Gib’s first academic position was at and were given in the evening. Gib Gib is survived by two Smith College, where he was appointed insisted that the exams be graded that daughters and sons-in-law, eight Assistant Professor in 1931, was same night and returned to the students grandchildren and 20 great-grandchil- promoted to Associate Professor in at the next class. Thus we and the dren. 1937, and chaired the department in teaching assistants who had been 1942. During this period he taught proctoring the exams would work to the advanced General Chemistry and both wee hours to get the exams graded. He Qualitative and Quantitative Analytical also started almost every lecture section Chemistry and supervised six seniors with a ten-minute quiz on the material From the undergraduate advisor Undergraduate program continues to prosper The undergraduate chemistry initiated by Prof. Dave Laude and and biochemistry programs continue to attracts a number of our undergraduate flourish and to be a primary interest of majors. The rigor of the program for the faculty. This year we have more our students in the preparation and than 800 majors (compared to 725 presentation of chemistry to elementary majors last year at this time) with the students not only brings chemistry to following breakdown: 45% (BS life for these young children, but it also Biochemistry ); 27% (BS Chemistry); fosters a greater awareness of both the 18% (BA Biochemistry); and 10% (BA science and the importance of chemis- Chemistry). Because of the “central try upon the students participating in science” character of chemistry, our this program. The Science and freshman and sophomore courses have Technology Center under the director- swelled. For example, the fall enroll- ship of Prof. Mike White also conducts Prof. Jim Holcombe ment in the general chemistry classes is a mentorship program involving both Undergraduate Advisor 4,329. To provide a smaller classroom undergraduate and graduate chemistry environment where greater interaction students. oral or poster presentation at a regional can occur for those with specific Student financial support - or national conference. We plan to interests in chemistry, special sections Through the generosity of individuals assist them in their travel needs. This exist exclusively for our chemistry and and corporations, the undergraduate aspect is important to their professional biochemistry majors. The establish- scholarship pool continues to grow. growth and to establish an awareness of ment of “majors sections” also has been The funds are used in a variety of ways the larger scientific community of extended to the organic, analytical and by the students. Undergraduate which they will soon be a part. physical chemistry courses. scholarships are provided which The undergraduate office staff, Educational Outreach - recognize both need and achievement. consisting of Chris Johnson and Along with geosciences, biology and Additionally, we are preparing to Christina Perkins, continues its daily physics, the department has a new initiate a program this spring which activities of “steering” students through degree program (initiated in Fall of will provide some financial assistance the maze of courses offered both within 1996): “BS Chemistry — Teaching to students attending scientific meet- the department and at the University. Option”. This is directed toward ings and to those with unique profes- They also redirect those who have undergraduates who have a primary sional opportunities where money veered off course (“Why did you take interest in teaching chemistry at the could be a major issue. For example, that Physics course?”) and point out primary or secondary school level. It is many of our students involved in opportunities available to them within the pre-college classes that often CH369K (Independent Research where the department as well as outside of the provide the spark that ignites an interest they are involved in a research project) university. in chemistry. Thus, these prospective make sufficient progress to warrant an teachers will be the key to attracting our bright high school students into the exciting field of chemistry. The faculty continued from page 2 recognize the importance of equipping these future teachers with a broad, mers, the computer required an air-conditioned home. strong background in chemistry. The Within 10 years after this first room was air-conditioned, vigor and breadth of this new degree the rest of the University followed the example set by program satisfies these objectives. The the Matsen computer. department is also involved in a number of other outreach programs, which are The Department thanks the Matsens for their generous driven by our community-minded gifts to the University! undergraduates. The UTeach program Prof. Bob Wyatt (discussed in earlier newsletters) was From the graduate advisor Program using undergraduate teaching aids launched The Graduate Office has inaugurated a new program highly selective groups ever (average GPA: 3.52, average com- to use some of our best upper division undergraduate students bined verbal and quantitative GRE: 1241). To augment this as “assistants” (i.e. teaching aides) in lower- division chemis- smaller pool of graduate students, nine undergraduate students, try courses. The aim of this pilot program is two-fold. First, selected based on their grade the use of undergraduates provides a greater level of teaching point averages, faculty rec- support for the growing demands of the freshmen chemistry ommendations, and indi- and organic chemistry courses. The undergraduate aides have vidual interviews, are serving been used to implement Web pages, lead special help sessions as assistants this fall. The for remedial students, for tutoring, and numerous other activi- feedback has been over- ties. Second, the availability of highly motivated undergradu- whelmingly positive thus far, ates provides some relief when qualified graduate students to both from the faculty and the serve as teaching assistants are in short supply. The unpredict- undergraduates involved in able enrollment of new graduate students coupled with the fluc- the program. The enthusi- tuating level of funding for graduate students as research as- asm of many of our upper- sistants from faculty research grants means that providing ad- division undergraduate stu- equate graduate teaching assistants to faculty has become an dents has been an untapped Prof. Jennifer Brodbelt increasingly difficult problem. For example, thirty-seven new resource, and we hope that Graduate Advisor graduate students enrolled this fall, one of the smallest but this pilot program continues to evolve successfully.

Departmental M.A. and Ph.D. graduates

Ph.D., Fall 1996 Ph.D., Spring 1997 Ph.D., Summer 1997

James S. Anderson (Laude) Hernan Aldas Palacios (Davis) Andrei A. Andrievsky (Sessler) Rich Apodaca (Whitesell) Thomas J. Hollis (Robertus) Christopher T. Brown (Sessler) Craig M. Child (Campion) Rich Carter (Magnus) Thomas C. Clancy (Webber) Armando Colorado (Brodbelt) Marvin B. Clevenger (McDevitt) Gang Chen (Iverson) Nanlin Deng (Mallouk/Brodbelt) Holly A. Jurbergs (Holcombe) Victoria J. Erkkila (White) Michelle C. Foster (Campion) Hyuk-Nyun Kim (Mallouk/Bard) Renae D. Fossum (Fox) John J. Isbell (Brodbelt) Robert S. Lokey (Iverson) Eric D. Helms (Iverson) Smuruthi Kamepalli (Cowley) Michael E. Morrison (Webber) Max K. Leong (Boggs) Jonathan S. Krueger (Mallouk/McDevitt) Denise M. Perreault (Anslyn) Weijin Li (Fox) Amy L. Odenbaugh (Iverson) Oleg V. Prezhdo (Rossky) Chris Limberakis (Martin) Eddie D. Pylant (White) Diane Lynn B. McCarthy (Hardesty) Amy L. Schwaner (White) M.A., Spring 1997 Petra I. Sansom (Sessler) Joseph Smith (Anslyn) Stacy L. Springs (Sessler) Jung-Keun Suh (Robertus) Joel D. Adcock (Wyatt) Brian S. Worley (Robertus) Suleyman Bahceci (Boggs) M.A., Fall 1996 Maria F. Garcia (Webber) M.A., Summer 1997 Kanan Garg (Holcombe) Christopher S. Cameron (Hoffman) Chona S. Guiang (Wyatt) Marilyn D. Wooten (Fox) Xinyu Chen (Browning) Jungseok Hahn (Webber) Stacy C. Converse-Sparks (White) Michael J. Licata (Hardesty) Fatima H. Fakhreddine (Gilbert) Monica L. Robinson (Kitto) John B. Hubbard (Hurley) Christopher L. McAdams (Willson) Ye Ruan (Holcombe) Lori L. Schirmer (Browning) Susan K. Sorensen (Whitesell) Yang Xiang (Bard) Reminiscences

The anecdotal accounts of what follows are excerpts from a document titled “A HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE, AS I KNEW IT, BY DAD”. While everything described is factual, I have at times taken some artistic license strictly for the sake of embellish- ment…. Dick Osborn

My life as a graduate student trying to crawl into a bench-top hood, laboratories. They left their tools in was a dichotomous adventure for me. because the lab manual specifically an empty lab overnight. A colleague, On the one hand, I was working my said to do a particular transfer “in the Leon Rand, and I were working in our butt off trying to get through graduate hood.” [This verbiage was a pet peeve lab when suddenly there was a loud school, while on the other, I was of Roy Roberts’; when helping him rifle-like sound and a gallon of experiencing the ultimate high; new write a lab textbook, he was constantly acetone on the top of a shelf in front knowledge as applied to the creative reminding me to instruct students to of me, then a bottle of acetic acid on process. My research was based on perform operations “at the hood.”] the next row suddenly smashed onto the utilization of synthetic organic That actually happened. In another of the lab benches. Seconds later, two chemistry as applied to the under- his labs, a student walked up to him, other graduate students came to our standing of some quantum mechani- asked, “What is this chain for?”, and door looking very discomfited. They cal aspects of non-benzenoid aro- had found the compressed air rivet matic molecules. (Well, it took me a gun left behind by the workmen and while to learn how to say that too.) In (A student) was thought that they would drive a couple short, we were synthesizing important seen trying to crawl into of rivets into the wall. It turned out new molecules, never before held in that there was nothing but a plaster the human hand, and comparing their a bench-top hood, because wall between the two labs. As I recall, properties to those predicted by the lab manual specifi- they paid penitence by going outside molecular orbital theory. We not only cally said to do a par- at dusk, facing east and singing What prepared the new molecules and ticular transfer "in the a Friend We Have in Jesus. determined their properties; we also calculated the resonance energy of the hood." Setting priorities molecules, using one of IBM’s new At the end of our second year 360 computers. Publishing the results pulled it. It was water shower for we chose our major professor and the of this work in the Journal of the chemical decontamination, and as fate field of chemistry in which we wanted American Chemical Society was an would have it, he was standing directly to major. The chemistry department extraordinary experience for a under it. Another friend had a student didn’t offer a Master’s degree pro- twenty-three-year-old kid from whose lab partner accidentally smashed gram, and only on rare occasions Burnet, Texas. a bottle of concentrated sulfuric acid awarded it to grad students who, for onto her lap. My friend yanked her The teaching experience some reason, passed the required over to the shower, turned it on, and course work but couldn’t hack it in When I was a graduate student, shouted to her to remove her clothes. research. I had decided to major in there were two freshmen chemistry He ran everyone out of the lab and told synthetic organic chemistry and was courses, Chem. 801 for science and the shivering girl to stand under the about to choose a project with Dr. engineering majors and Chem. 601 shower until he said she could leave. Lochte, a full professor and graduate for home economics majors and He left and sent another female student advisor. I also talked to Drs. Bailey, athletes. One of my friends taught a into the lab with a fire blanket to cover Roberts, and Henze. Then I talked lab in the latter class that contained her. We were chivalrous in those days. with Pete Gardner, a new assistant some individuals who really do not Another funny incident, in professor. There was never any belong in chemistry. One was seen retrospect, was the time carpenters question after that. I was his third or were doing some remodeling of our fourth graduate student, but he had written part. He answered the question the day’s experiments, drink coffee already enough research money to “How many Texans were killed in and eat lunch at the bench [definitely a have the best set-up labs in the highway accidents last year” with a “no, no” in this day and age!], break department. He also spent most of his “not enough” [sounds apocryphal to for dinner, then do more lab work free time with his graduate students me]. He loved to drink beer, just like until 10:30 PM. We then adjourned to and expected a lot from them. When I all Australians that I have known, and Scholtz’s Beer Garten for a pitcher or was gone over a weekend to get soon after he arrived, he and Dick two [Scholtz’s seems to have been a married, then showed up the next Brandon and a couple of faculty focal point for departmental activities, Monday he asked, “where the hell members were driving down Congress as noted again below]. The bars have you been, Osborn?” I knew that Avenue after the bars closed, Roly was closed at 12:00 so we would then go he was sort of kidding, but I also got driving on the left-hand side of the back to the lab, shut down everything the message that with him research street. His companions yelled at him so and go home. was numero uno above all else. He he stopped and started backing up. Unlike analytical and physical had earlier told me that in order to be a “Now, is that better?” he asked. A organic chemists who seemingly successful academician I should policeman stopped them and he nurture themselves and thrive on always remember three things: never explained that he was just over from boredom, we were always trying to get married, never buy a TV set, and England and hadn’t adjusted to the find new ways to pass the time during always keep up with The Literature. driving rules yet. long experiments and data-collecting. In retrospect, I suppose that is why I Tom van Auken was another We would, for example, place various chose industrial research. faculty member who was a friend of insects, of which there were plenty in Gardner wasn’t alone at UT in mine after I returned to Austin as a the then unair-conditioned labs in his attitude towards research effort. post-doc. An assistant professor in Austin, in a vacuum jar and determine Another new faculty member from organic chemistry from Alpine, Texas, to what sub atmospheric pressure they Australia, Rowland Pettit, told his he earned his BS at Illinois and Ph.D. at could survive before exploding. Flies, students that the only excuse for not Yale. As I recall, Tom was the bench- moths, etc., as expected, exploded showing up on Sunday was a severe mark for hyperactivity, a prime right away, crickets could survive hangover. (Pete Gardner would not candidate for Ritalin. He was the only down to about one Torr. Roaches even accept hangovers as an excuse; person in the department that could go were not affected at all, until we he felt that if drinking was going to three flights up the stairs and beat the finally went to a vacuum pump that interfere with research, you should elevator every time. He was a real would pull 0.001 Torr. At that point make even that sacrifice.) When Pettit “burr in the saddle” for everyone, and I even the most veracious cockroach interviewed potential graduate guess that’s why we were friends. The basically vaporized in the flask and students, he always asked, “Do you only faculty that he got along with were went out the tube. Unfortunately it drink?”. If they said no, he did accept Gardner, Pettit, and a physical chemist was Pete Gardner’s personal vacuum them. If they answered yes, he asked whose name escapes me. Tom eventu- pump that he prized and protected “How much”? ally went to work for Union Carbide in very much. Dick Brandon and I spent I had met Roly soon after he South Charleston, where he was known the rest of the night disassembling and arrived at UT. He just come from as a sports car nut and owned a Lotus cleaning it. England where he was working with street/racing roadster. Once after On the other end of the pressure one of the most notable of all organic overhauling his engine, he was posi- range, Brandon and I one night chemists, M. J. S. Dewar. I was at my tioned at the starting line revving the decided to make a balloon with high- lab bench one afternoon and I per- motor and waiting for the starter gun to pressure tubing. We packed a six-inch ceived someone standing behind me go off when the engine fell out. He had length with dry ice and closed both looking over my shoulder. I turned forgotten to secure the engine mounting ends with clamps then let it warm to around and said “Oh hello, Dr. Pettit.” bolts. room temperature. We didn’t consider He said “F—k Pettit, call me Roly. the physical nature of the metal Let’s go have a beer.” He took his The Daily Routine clamps we used until the tubing driver’s license test soon after he started to expand. By then it was too arrived in Austin and although he Our work routine was to arrive at late so the only thing we could do was passed the driving part, he failed the the lab at 10:00 in the morning, start leave the lab and wait for the tubing to explode and hope that the clamps like Alcoholics Anonymous needed to was in the sink and burning everything didn’t fly through our glassware. We provide some counseling to this around it [Given our recent fire, this is sat out in the hallway on the floor group]. This, of course, would not be a “deja vu all over again]. Gardner drinking tequila for about an hour, story if things had worked out right. grabbed a fire extinguisher, but it was checking occasionally on the ever- We threw the bottles out too far for empty, so we just stood around and expanding tubing. A campus guard easy target-shooting, and by the time waited for it to burn out. Word got soon came through, making his Gardner, our best marksman, had around the Department fast, and that’s rounds. Another miscalculation on our grabbed a gun, the bottles were how Carlos came to be called Speedy. part. He asked what we were doing floating under the First Street Bridge. sitting in the hall at two o’clock in the He shot one bottle, which exploded as Oral Examinations morning with an empty bottle of expected . . . but directly under the tequila. We told him that an experi- bridge where several cars were Before we were qualified for a ment in the lab had gotten out of hand, crossing. The fireball reached almost Ph.D., we had to pass a series of oral and we were staying out of the lab in to the top of the bridge and was exams given by faculty members in case there was an explosion and fire. followed by much smoke, most of our major field. For the most part they That’s right, you guessed it. The which was only water vapor. How- were straight and simple. Dr. Roberts tubing exploded with an exceptionally ever, this was of no consolation to the asked about the Friedel-Crafts loud bang. We looked nonchalantly police who were driving down First reaction, Dr. Lochte asked about some up at the cop, who, in turn looked as if Street at the time. We had not really qualitative organic analysis problem, he was about to have twins. Branden planned our next action, but since there Bailey asked about ozone chemistry, said, “Well Dick, I guess we should go were still two unbroken bottles floating etc. except for Henze. He always clean up the mess”. We did not know down the river somewhere, we decided asked questions that had no meaning, what happened to the cop that night, that we should find them first, and later except to him. In one of my sessions, but on subsequent rounds, he never turn ourselves in. We never did find he said to me “I’m thinking of an mentioned the incident. the bottles, but apparently two fisher- organic compound. How would you Analytical Disposal men did the next day. They were not name it”? I had no idea that he wanted injured, and we never did turn our- the Chemical Abstracts rules for An incident that Gardner’s selves in, but we did keep our explo- nomenclature, so I said “Is it animal, group all took pride in was the sodium sive metals inventory to a more vegetable or mineral?” Everyone waste disposal night. At that time, manageable size. laughed except Henze. He said “We’ll there were no chemical toxicity Which reminds me of another take it up again at you next oral”. problems [more properly, there was a sodium episode. Our group worked The orals were held in a confer- lack of awareness about chemical with sodium routinely, but we had a ence room in the Experimental toxicity]. We just dealt with situations new grad student, Carlos (Speedy) Science building. We were required to as they occurred. One time we had a Cardenas, from Laredo. He was be there precisely on schedule, no large amount of sodium on hand. It weighing out sodium on his bench top excuses, so we each got there several was stored in one-pound lots in when a couple of grams fell out onto minutes before our appointment. One xylene, was very old and coated with the bench. He quickly brushed them of the students was Ashot Merijan, a oxide. Gardner wanted to get rid of into the trough that carried the high- friend and student from Iran. Ashot because it was taking up too much of pressure water from vacuum aspirators was always a very nervous person but his office space. He and several of his down the drain. There was water in was really up-tight during orals. On graduate students made plans to take the drain and the sodium started to one occasion a friend of mine was the sodium to Town Lake one night, burn. I was watching from across the standing outside the conference room, throw the sealed bottles out into the aisle. Speedy tried to blow out the fire. waiting for Ashot to finish. The door water, then as they floated down- That was funny enough, but he had his opened and they were leading Ashot stream, break the bottles by shooting face shield on over his face at the time out into the hallway. He had fainted. them with a 22 rifle. We logically [well, at least one person in this Henze looked at my friend, crooked decided ahead of time to stay sober episode knew something about safety]. his finger at him and said “Next”. that night to be sure that no one The rest of us were laughing so hard When I finished my graduate messed up [It’s beginning to sound we forgot about the fire, which by now research, I went to work for Celanese in Corpus. I returned to Austin to Pickle Research Center] in Austin as a [the proprietors should have realized present the defense of my dissertation janitor while he was going to school. that graduate students could not afford to my committee in the fall of ’60. Since Balcones was a government- such high-priced fare.]. We made sure There were a few comments about the funded lab, government personnel that they had time to get the steaks on thinness of my dissertation (mine was regularly inspected it. While Lonnie the grill, then Lonnie showed up. the shortest organic treatise on record at was working there, the management When he sat down, the same waitress the time), but no one questioned the learned that their next inspector was to again refused to serve him, so we all quality. No one ever questioned the be a black army colonel. Since BRI got up and walked out without paying. sagacity of Pete Gardner’s research. had no black professionals on the staff, The next night they served us all beer, they asked Lonnie if he would meet the including Lonnie..On the night Con- Integrating Austin colonel’s plane and help host him. gress passed the Civil Rights Act, he Lonnie told them that he would be and I went to as many bars as we could, In the late fifties and early sixties, happy to, but he didn’t see how it and ordered beer. We were not refused prejudice was alive and well in Austin, would look very good if a janitor at any of the spots, but we got lots of with blacks, for example, being denied hosted the colonel. He was instantly very hard looks. access to professional opportunities as promoted to the position of chemist. Some of my fondest memories well as to bars, restaurants, and the like. Lonnie and I integrated several outside the lab were the nights, and Coincidentally there was a black local hangouts around the University in there were quite a few, when Nate undergraduate student, Lonnie Fogel, in the early sixties. This included Bauld, George Emerson, Bernie Ortiz our research group at that time, and he Scholtz’s Beer Garten, a very old and de Montellano, Carlos Cardenas, and was a good friend of mine. He always tradition-filled beer and steak house Lonnie Fogel came to our house to claimed that he could never get a job frequented by most of the chemistry drink beer and listen to Bob Dylan. because if he interviewed in person, he department [still true!] and now After the music and the beer, Nate wasn’t hired because he was black, and designated a National Historical would sit at our piano, seemingly for if he applied by letter they would not Landmark. Lonnie had been refused hours, and play, and play, and play...... hire him because they thought he was service there one night, so about five Jewish. He proclaimed that he was a chemistry graduate students (all white) self-made man. He had a job with went there the next night and ordered Balcones Research Institute [now the the most expensive steak on the menu

From the Chairman continued from page 1 David Vanden Bout (experimental physical chemist) joined our faculty as a new Assistant Professor this fall, and a short article about him is found on page 15. We also hired two biochemists who will be associated with the the Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology (ICMB). Dr. Alan Lambowitz will have a joint appointment as a Professor with microbiology and is the new Director of the ICMB. Dr. Andy Ellington from Indiana University will be joining us in January as a new Associate Professor and will be part of the chemical biology group in the ICMB. I again thank all of you who have contributed to our Department with your resources of time and money. In this context, I am pleased to report that the Department will add three new major endowments this year. Al and Cecilia Matsen have established a Presidential Endowed Fellowship for Graduate Support of Theoretical Chemistry in the department. Also, Professorships are being established to honor Dr. William Wade and Dr. Lester Reed, long-time faculty members of our department. This issue of the newsletter includes a complete list of friends who have donated to the department during the past academic year. It is a pleasure to recognize and acknowledge the vital role that such individuals play in helping us maintain our quality programs at UT-Austin. The financial support of our alumni continues to be a critical factor in helping us to meet our mission of excellence in both teaching and research. We wish you all a very merry Holiday Season!! We do appreciate hearing from you and want Chemical Compositions to be your resource for keeping up with what is happening in your department. Marv Hackert Corporate and Foundation Donors to The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry September 1996 - August 1997

Angels Grand Benefactors Pharmacia & Upjohn Inc. $10,000+ $1,000-1,999 Sandoz Research Institute Schering-Plough Research Institute E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company Inc. CIBA-GEIGY Pharmaceuticals Division SmithKline Beecham Corporation BASF Corporation Procter & Gamble Fund Eastman Kodak Company Roche Bioscience Donors Shell Oil Company Foundation To $249 The Shive Foundation Benefactors Abbott Laboratories Fund $500-999 Austin Children’s Museum Grand Patrons VWR Scientific Products $5,000-9,999 Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. Biogen Inc. Glaxo Wellcome Inc. Chase Manhattan Foundation Bayer Foundation Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. Exxon Education Foundation CONDEA Vista Company Merck Sharp & Dohme IBM Corporation Dow Chemical Company Foundation Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation Mobil Foundation Inc. Hoechst Celanese Corporation Parke-Davis Robert A. Nelson D.D.S., Inc. Pfizer Inc. Phelps Dodge Foundation Westinghouse Foundation Patrons $2,000-4,999

Radian International L.L.C. Temple-Inland Foundation Texaco Foundation

Individual Donors to The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry September 1996 - August 1997

Angels Benefactors Supporters $10,000+ $500-999 $100-249

Dr. and Mrs. Frederick A. Matsen Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Burshnick Mrs. Martha M. Abbott Mrs. Ella M. Moore Dr. Dorothy H. Gibson Drs. Ellen Blair Smith and Alan Campion Dr. and Mrs. Lester J. Reed Dr. and Mrs. Marvin L. Hackert Dr. C. C. Cheng Dr. and Mrs. Jonathan L. Sessler Dr. and Mrs. H. David Medley Dr. Max E. Chiddix Dr. and Mrs. William Shive Dr. Ta-Shue Chou Dr. William S. Clark Sustainers Dr. David E. Cook Grand Benefactors $250-499 Dr. Philip R. DeShong $1,000-1,999 Dr. Cecil R. Dybowski Dr. Lazaro Brenner Dr. Richard T. Eakin Dr. and Mrs. Donald Carlton Dr. Jerry A. Broussard Mr. Robert H. Ellison, III Dr. Sunil R. Desai Drs. Lucia A. and John C. Gilbert Dr. Ricardo Fuentes, Jr. Dr. Stephen F. Martin and Mrs. Fay Evans- Mr. Thomas E. Grula Dr. Denise E. Guinn Martin Dr. Michael P. Mortimore Mr. Harvey J. Herd Mr. George H. Odom Dr. Mary N. White Mr. and Mrs. Luman H. Hughes Dr. Fu-Hsiang Tseng Mr. John F. Yeaman Dr. Simeon H. Hulsey Supporters continued $100-249 Dr. and Mrs. B. A. Joiner Dr. Robert E. Wyatt Prof. Verna M. Harder Dr. Bruce A. Kowert Dr. Robert K-Y Zee-Cheng Dr. and Mrs. Boyd Hardesty Drs. Jeanne M. and Joseph J. Lagowski Dr. and Mrs. Daniel M. Ziegler Dr. James E. Hardy Mr. Rodney P. Land Mr. Fred M. Haston, Jr. Dr. Carolyn W. Lara-Braud Dr. and Mrs. James A. Holcombe Dr. Jonathan G. Lasch Donors Dr. Ronald J. Jandacek Dr. Yusheng Liao To $100 Mr. Jeffrey B. Kline Dr. Charles M. Maddin Dr. Prasanna R. Kolatkar Dr. Darren J. Magda Mr. Frederick J. Arredondo Ms. Marie S. (Hatch) Kukuk Dr. Linda W. McDonald Dr. Jean-Marie Assercq Mr. W. K. Modrall, Sr. Dr. and Mrs. Edgar F. Meyer Dr. and Mrs. Philip S. Bailey Dr. Perry Mueller, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Leon O. Morgan Dr. Kenneth J. Barr Dr. John B. Otto, Jr. Dr. Paul R. Noyes Mr. Ralph E. Beck Mr. Robert J. Pauletti Mr. and Mrs. Claud W. Payne Mr. and Mrs. Allen M. Benson Mr. and Mrs. Warren E. Perry Mr. and Mrs. Myron S. Pfeifer Dr. and Mrs. James E. Boggs Ms. Martha K. Polley Drs. Richard C. and Diana A. Phillips Mrs. Mary C. Boynton Mr. George L. Redd Dr. Thomas A. Puckette Mr. Brett B. Busch Ms. Rebecca Richards Dr. Tobias Rein Dr. Kevin J. Cann Dr. I. Joseph Satterfield Mr. Randall R. Reves Mr. Chaohsun Chiu Dr. Jimin Shi Dr. David W. Russell Dr. Louis W. Elrod Ms. Mildred C. Smith Dr. Alan R. Tanner Ms. Louise L. Fincher Dr. G. R. Stephens, Jr. Dr. James M. Watson Dr. Eugene M. Friedman Dr. Robert L. R. Towns Dr. Herbert D. Weiss Mr. and Mrs. James L. Hanson Mrs. M. Phyllis Williams Dr. and Mrs. James B. White Mr. and Mrs. Robert Harder

Natural Sciences Annual Fund Donors September 1996 - August 1997

Dr. Frank B. Armstrong Dr. Shane A. Eisenbeis Dr. Tony C. Moore Mr. Jett C. Arthur Dr. Mark A. Frentrup Dr. Kenneth C. Morton Dr. Charles K. Barlowe Mr. Thomas E. Grula Dr. James L. Ogilvie Dr. James S. Bogard Dr. and Mrs. Martin A. Hands Dr. Thomas A. Puckette Mr. and Mrs. E. O. Box Ms. Cynthia C. Hoecker Mr. Gordon H. Purser Mrs. Sarah E. Campbell Dr. Dustin K. James Dr. Donald E. Rawls Ms. Geralyn S. Cornelius Mr. and Mrs. Mark R. Johnson Dr. and Mrs. Barry E. Schwarz Dr. Tom F. Davenport Dr. Anne M. Kelly-Rowley Dr. Anthony L. Stuart Dr. L. Edward DeMoll, III Dr. Richard A. Kemp Mr. Robert E. Swaim Dr. Maureen S. Droessler Mr. Daniel R. Klingman Dr. Robert G. Utter Dr. Michael W. Duffel Mrs. Martha K. McKee William H. "Bill" Wade Semi-Retires Research in surface science to continue

Bill Wade is retiring from Shive and Joanne Ravel, both retired), Because of their efforts, this project teaching (but not research!) at the end but history has now repeated itself with “outflanked” others from the “arts” side of this Spring semester. His announce- the Fall 1997 arrival of David Vanden of campus, including a pet project of ment caught some of us “old-timers” Bout (M. Berg, UT Ph.D., 1995). the legendary Frank Erwin. With by surprise despite Bill’s occasional Bill’s research focused on persuasive arguments and by having grumblings about unappreciative surface chemistry (about 170 publica- their act together, Wade and Morgan freshman chemistry students (if this tions), but he is probably best known got the Chemistry project on the inside were the sole criterion for retirement, for his work in reducing hydrocarbon- track, and the addition that resulted there wouldn’t be many of us left at water interfacial surface tension by finally put most of our faculty under this point). chemically tailoring surfactants. The one roof after a long “Diaspora.” This original motivation for this effort was did not win us friends on the “arts” side enhanced oil recovery, which was of campus, but had a tremendous recognized by the French government impact on the Department of Chemistry by its bestowing on him the title of and Biochemistry. Chevalier de l’Ordre des Palmes Another contribution is the Academiques. His surfactant studies Wade “spinning drop” machine. Bill have recently been extended to envi- and his long-time collaborator, James ronmental remediation, a recent success Gardner, developed an innovative being removal of 99% of chlorocarbons instrument to measure oil-water fifty feet underground at Hill Air Force interfacial tension. When the initial Base (Utah). The writer of this piece results obtained with this instrument still recalls the seminar given by Wade were presented at meetings, others in years ago with a tongue-in-cheek title the field, especially industrial scientists, something like “How I Sold My Soul to wanted one (or more). Bill established Industry,” with the unspoken subtitle a system whereby the department that interesting science could be useful. produces these machines and sells them This is a point that many of us have all over the world. come to heed in more recent years. Finally, in addition to sage Campus leadership - During advice to later chairmen and other Prof. William H. "Bill" Wade a period of strong growth in Bill’s faculty facing knotty problems, Bill has research effort, he also served as been a source of information and Because Bill will remain an Departmental Chairman (1974-81). In inspiration to those colleagues who active researcher in the Department, part because of his cajoling, nagging, enjoy fine wines. Suffice it to say that the “hole” that he leaves is confined to and threatening faculty members who there are many wineries in California teaching, but further points out our were not active in seeking Federal where Bill is on a departmental need to maintain an funding to support their research, the first-name basis active faculty recruiting posture. beginning of a strong upturn in the with the owners Despite the fact that we are retaining research profile of the Department can or vintners. Of Wade’s counsel and physical presence be traced to his leadership. all Bill’s activi- (except for his many trips hither and Bill served as Chairman of the ties, this is the yon), it is appropriate to reflect on his University Building Committee and is one that stands to many contributions to the department. recognized as the “guru of space” (a gain most First of all, Bill is a UT Ph.D. capacity he still fills as we implement directly from his (with Norm Hackerman) and, with the the West Wing Remodel/Fire Recovery retirement from exception of a postdoctoral stint doing project). Indeed, he and Tom Morgan teaching and one nuclear physics at Berkeley, his were largely responsible for seeing that from which Prof. Stephen Webber academic career has been solely at UT. the plans for the 1976 addition to many of us “Hiring our own” has been unusual in Welch Hall were in place at a critical benefit. We wish him good luck and recent years (other examples are Billy time during a building phase of UT. implore him to keep sharing. David Vanden Bout joins our faculty An Austinite returns home Despite all its meddling this year in the affairs of higher education, the The weather in Austin is a radical change from my last home of Minne- State Legislature failed to enact a bill apolis, Minnesota. However, since I grew up here, I greatly prefer Austin’s hot naming an official molecule. You may summers to the absurdly cold and seemingly endless winters of Minnesota. I recall that “Buckyball” and received my undergraduate degree in Chemistry in 1990 from Duke University. I “Texaphyrin” were the prime competi- then came back Austin to work on my Ph.D. at UT with Mark Berg. My doctoral tors for the title, but in the end, our studies centered on using ultrafast nonlinear laser spectroscopy to elucidate the solons let the final decision slip nature of solute-solvent interactions through the study of vibrational dephasing. through the cracks—the House passed After completing my Ph.D., I received a NSF postdoctoral fellowship to work with legislation naming Buckyball the Paul Barbara at the University of Minnesota. I spent three years in Minnesota winner, but the Senate wisely sched- helping develop and expand the techniques of near-field scanning optical micros- uled no hearings on this most momen- copy (NSOM) and single molecule spectroscopy (SMS). I am thrilled to have the tous issue. Surprisingly, Governor opportunity to return to UT, and I am currently teaching a graduate class and Bush failed to call a special session to setting up my research lab. resolve the dilemma! Look for this My research is directed toward issue to rear its head in the next session studying the electronic and optical properties of the Legislature, which thankfully of mesostructured (smaller than microns, will not occur until January, 1999. bigger than molecules) and interfacial Maybe the relative merits of the two systems. Understanding the effects of small- competitors will be more clearly scale structure and interfaces is critical to defined by then. development of new ultra-small electronic In this context, the National devices and sensors. Because the properties Cancer Institute recently announced of these systems vary over very small that it had selected the gadolinium distance scales, these systems must be complex of texaphyrin for government- examined microscopically. My research sponsored Phase I clinical trials against David Vanden Bout group will use a combined approach of various types of cancers. This decision NSOM and ultrafast laser spectroscopy. This combination of very fast (10-13 reflects the agency’s positive impres- seconds) and very small (10-7 meters) measurements will allow accurate character- sion of the potential of this drug for ization of many rapid processes—for example, energy migration and trapping—in cancer therapy. these systems by directly probing distinct spatial regions. This knowledge will not The contest that accompanied only advance our basic understanding of these fundamental properties but may the article about legislative efforts to also direct new strategies in materials development and device design. Initial name a state molecule attracted no systems of interest include thin films of oligothiophenes and luminescent conju- entrants, so we’ll provide the answers gated polymers, both of which can be used for organic light emitting devices. here. You may be able to use them as When I’m not in the lab or preparing for my class, I enjoy spending time “conversation openers” at some social at home with my wife Katherine. We both enjoy cooking and gardening, and we gathering! are very much looking forward to our first winter back in Texas! Minnesota state mushroom Morel Oops! We Goofed Massachusetts state dessert Boston cream pie The Spring 1997, edition of the newsletter carried an article on the Nebraska state rock induction of Bill Shive into the Hall of Honor of the College of Natural Prairie agate Sciences. In that article, we listed other individuals who had a connection with Connecticut state animal the department and had been inducted in earlier years. Dr. Lorene Rogers Sperm whale (Ph.D. 1948, Williams) was inadvertently omitted from that list, and we South Carolina state dance apologize for the oversight. Dr. Rogers, who was President of UT-Austin from The shag 1975–1979, still resides in Austin and remains a thoroughly orange-blooded Arizona state neckwear supporter of The University. Bolo tie ALUM RETORTS

1943 A. Furman Isbell, M.A. (1941), Ph.D. (Henze) ~ reports after spending 11 years as an industrial research chemist, he “joined a chemistry department about two miles from my house” (in Bryan, Texas). In 1977 he took early retirement because of some difficult physical problems. Now, “20 years later I am having a great time still doing scientific research that I can carry out in my garage. He received an unusual U.S. Patent 18 months ago” and has another patent pending. He states, “I owe the UT Chemistry Department more than I can repay because it gave me the training to be the kind of scientist I had always wanted to be.” 1950 J. Virgil Waggoner, M.A. (Bailey) ~ and his wife June have given the university a $5 million donation for research into the genetic causes of alcoholism. The Waggoners have previously donated more than $1.7 million to the university, including $1 million to endow a chair in our department. 1958 Roberta Faulkner Sund, M.A. (Shive) ~ taught introductory chemistry at the Al Akhawayn University, Ifrance, Morocco during the spring semester to help introduce American teaching methods in this new university. 1960 Rogene Faulkner Henderson, Ph.D. (Eakin) ~ senior Biochemist/Toxicologist with the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, was presented the Ambassador Award at the spring scientific meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Society of Toxicology in appreciation of her outstanding contributions to the international recognition of the science of toxicology. She gave the President’s Lecture at the Lovelace Institute, entitled “Chemical Footprints in Our Bodies: Clues to Prior Exposure.” 1969 Robert L. R. Towns, Ph.D. (Simonsen) ~ is Professor and Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences, Cleveland State University. 1975 Taylor Jones, Ph.D. (Dewar) ~ has been promoted to Professor of Chemistry and is Chairman, Department of Biological and Physical Sciences at The Master’s College, Santa Clarita, CA. 1978 John Calhoon, attended as Biochemistry major ~ received an Outstanding Young Texas Ex Award from the UT Ex-Students Association. He is Associate Professor and Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the UT Health Science Center of San Antonio, is nationally recognized leader in organ transplantation, led team that performed first newborn heart transplant in South Texas. Michael E. Hayes, Ph.D. (Wade) ~ was promoted to chief executive officer of Petroferm, Inc., Fernandina Beach, Florida. 1982 Galen D. Knight, Ph.D. (Ziegler) ~ recommends the following website for free information on some new non-toxic immune therapies for cancer and other diseases: http://www.highfiber.com/~galenvtp 1983 Peter J. Essex, B.A. Chemistry ~ reports he is living in Minnesota and working for Johnson & Johnson. He is married with two children, a son and a daughter. 1985 M. Katherine Holloway, M.A. 1982, Ph.D. (Dewar) ~ was one of nine scientists awarded Inventor of the Year awards by the Intellectual Property Owners association. The eight men and one woman were honored for patents covering the first new class of drugs for treating AIDS since the mid-1980’s. Dr. Holloway works for Merck & Company. ALUM RETORTS

1985 Jerry P. Suits, Ph.D. Chemical Education (Lagowski) ~ is currently the Miller Endowed Professor of Science at McNeese State University. He states he received an excellent education at UT-Austin under the direction of Dr. Lagowski. 1986 Brent Blackburn, Ph.D. (Gilbert) ~ has recently joined CV Therapeutics, Palo Alto, CA, as Vice President of Developmental Research. He and his wife Deborah are celebrating a new addition to the family, Zachary Martin, born September 18, 1997. 1988 Dane Michael Chetkovich, B.A. Biochemistry, B.S. Biological Science; Ph.D. Neuroscience 1992 (Baylor College of Medicine); M.D. 1994 (Baylor College of Medicine) ~ is serving as Chief Resident in Neurology at the University of Califor- nia, San Francisco. Next year he will have a Howard Hughes Medical Institute postdoctoral fellowship to work with Michael Merzenich. Terence Kelly, Ph.D. (Gilbert) ~ has been promoted to Associate Director of Medicinal Chemistry with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Ridgefield, CT. He will be in charge of one of three groups devoted to discovering and optimizing compounds. He and his wife, Vivian, have a new daughter, Juliette, born August 5, 1997. 1989 Dan W. Reynolds, Ph.D. (Bauld) ~ works for GlaxoWellcome, Inc. in Raleigh, North Carolina. His job involves drug degradation studies, kinetic studies, isolations, and some synthesis. He has a wife, Cassie, and two children, Jason and Holly. 1990 Bryant C. Nelson, B.S. Chemistry ~ did doctoral work in bioanalytical chemistry at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst under Prof. Peter C. Uden and received his Ph.D. in May 1996. He is a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, MD. Hoang Steve Ngo, B.A. Biochemistry ~ will graduate from South Texas College of Law with a J.D. degree. 1991 Frank A. Quinn, Ph.D. (Kitto) ~ is Project Manager for Abbott Diagnostics Division, Abbott Laboratories. 1992 Mark A. Gee, B.A. Chemistry ~ is pursuing a graduate degree in architecture at the Southern California Institute of Architec- ture. 1994 Kathlynn Corinne Brown, Ph.D. (Kodadek) ~ reports she is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of California, San Francisco in the laboratory of Charles Craik where she holds a Damon Runyon-Walter Winchell fellowship. She is married to Kevin Luebke, and they have a son born in 1996. Monica Daniel Laurel, B.S. Chemistry ~ is living and working in Louisiana as a Hydrocarbons Process Chemist for Union Carbide. She reports she is a unit coordinator and works with the R&D department in South Charleston, WV as well. “Need- less to say, I'm never bored and always challenged. The past two years have been great!” 1996 Jeffrey Crawford, B.S. Biochemistry ~ reports he has entered UT Law School, plans to work in patent law relating to biotechnology. Rachel K. Haddock, B.S. Biochemistry ~ is attending graduate school at Northwestern University. 1997 Daniel “Dat” Tran, B.S. Biochemistry ~ has a new job with Genentech in San Francisco, California. ALUM RETORTS

continued from page 3 pability of the LCQ. PerSeptive Biosystem Mariner Biospectrometry Workstation - This is a rapid data acquisition, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometer with an m/z range of up to 1000. It can be used to measure the molecular weights of small biological compounds (

Name Years of Service Lee H. Benson 20 Donald W. Carroll 20 Kenneth W. George 25 Wieslaw A. Kudlicki 10 Ann M. Lockwood 10 Grady J. Rollins 30 Manuel Vargas Jr. 20 Grady Rollins receives congratu- lations from President Robert CHRIS JOHNSON, undergraduate academic adviser to Chemistry Berdahl for 30 years of Univer- and Biochemistry majors, received a James W. Vick Texas Excellence sity service. Award for Academic Advising. Chris also contributes to production of this newsletter as our design/layout specialist.

SHAREE AERY, administrative associate for the Science and Technology Center, is responsible for handling finances, oversee- ing personnel matters and other management tasks.

BARBARA MCKNIGHT, graduate coordinator, manages our graduate office including graduate recruitment each spring and the organization of the teaching assistant program. In Memorium

Willie Woodard Crouch, M.A. 1940, Ph.D. 1942 (Lochte), died June 21, 1997. He was retired from Phillips Petroleum and is survived by his wife, June L. Crouch. Gary Lynn Cupper, B.S. Chemistry 1970, died December 22, 1996. Dorothy Helen Chandler Leonard, B.S., Chemistry 1948, died April 10, 1997 according to the Kerrville Daily Times. Eugene J. McMullen, Ph.D. 1947 (Henze), died August 18, 1995, He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Reid McMullen; daughters, Katie Lund and Mary Gladstone; and five grandchildren. His son, Gerry McMullen, predeceased him in 1987. Mark Keller Poole, M.D., B.A. Chemistry 1929, died August 4, 1997. Wanda Mae Jones Shelby, B.S. Chemistry 1951, died April 20, 1997 at the age of 66. Beth Anne Walden, Ph.D. 1995 (Cowley), died June 30, 1997 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. She was employed by Texas Instruments in Dallas and recently had been transferred to Sematech in Austin. William B. Whitney, Sr., B.S. Chemistry 1933, M.A. 1934, Ph.D. 1937 (Henze), passed away February 19, 1997 in Ft. Worth. Tom Dobbins Young, B.A. Chemistry 1931, M.D. 1935, died July 19, 1997, according to the Abilene Reporter News.

Non Profit Org. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry U.S. Postage The University of Texas at Austin PAID Jack Gilbert, Marvin Hackert Austin, Texas 78712-5300 Permit #391 Editing/Production Austin, Texas Joyce Thoresen Editorial Coordinator Address Correction Requested Chris Johnson Design/Layout Marvin Hackert Larry Poulsen Joyce Thoresen Photographers

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